The tournament has secured its place on the international circuit thanks to a man who had already proven himself by revitalizing the Geneva International Horse Show: “Some events weren’t, or aren’t, organized the way I believe they should be,” explains Pierre E. Genecand, who has helmed the tournament for twenty years exactly. “That’s why I decided to do things my own way here in Gstaad, with a loyal team and a distinctly Swiss spirit that I have no intention of exporting.”
World-class polo on the airport grass
This pursuit of excellence extends to the sport itself. This year, each team will field a top-tier Argentine player, promising a spectacular level of play for the tournament’s 28th edition. “The highlight of this 2025 edition,” notes Genecand, “is the presence of a very high calibre of Argentine professionals across all teams, and that’s really the heart of the show.”
Leading the pack is Nicolás Pieres (8-goaler – Team KIELDER AGRO GROUP), the former back for the legendary Ellerstina team and one of the sport’s most decorated stars. Winner of the Argentine Open in 2012 alongside his brothers Gonzalito and Facundo, Pieres has played in eight finals at Palermo and boasts ten Triple Crown titles (Tortugas, Hurlingham, Palermo), not to mention victories at the US Open, the British Open, Sotogrande, and the French Open.
On the Team HUBLOT side, Adrian Laplacette (6-goaler) will be back in action after reaching last year’s final alongside the Meier brothers. Well at ease on Gstaad’s turf, he’ll be out for redemption on ground that feels like home, this year with German captain Jürgen Schröder.
Another standout this year is Martin “Min” Podestá Jr. (7-goaler – Team GSTAAD PALACE), a two-time winner of the prestigious Copa Cámara de Diputados – a title that grants access to the Argentine Triple Crown. Also in the mix, Juan “El Oreja” Jauretche (7-goaler – Team ALBINATI AERONAUTICS), a finalist of the same Cámara, rounds out a quartet of top-class talents that uphold the tournament’s stellar reputation.
Planes grounded, polo takes off.
While air traffic pauses during the matches, as the polo field sits directly beside the runway, an increasing number of the tournament’s partners now come from the private aviation sector. “We’ll have more exhibitor stands this year and more private aircraft and helicopter displays on site,” explains Pierre E. Genecand. A clear sign that the tournament, while staying true to its roots, continues to attract an ever more international and discerning audience.
